Customer Reviews

Carpenter's Complete Guide to the SAS Macro Language

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The definitive text by a recognized expert. I bought the first edition several years ago and immediately discovered how to resolve a macro problem that was stopping my progress. The book paid for itself in the first 5 minutes! Got the 2nd Edition a few weeks ago and quickly discovered ways to do two different things I didn't even know were possible. That's at least a 5X ROI so far, and I've only skimmed through a few pages so far.

Don't write code without it!

I use SAS for work occasionally, and I have always struggled a little to get my head around macros. This book was great for the sometimes struggling SAS programmer like me. I liked how he started by explaining macros, pointing out extremely useful syntax tips like double quotes versus single quotes (as those who work with programs like SAS and STATA know, syntax can sometimes be the bane of our existence).

Importantly, if you struggle with macros, read the book from the beginning - he gradually builds the use of macros from there.

(Note: I posted a similar review to this on the UK amazon site).

Art Carpenter goes beyond basic macro usage in this publication. Learn how to expose your data and environment with the use of macro variables and functions, then control program flow. Now I plan each datastep and procedure to be used with reusable macro programming. I'm looking forward to using Art's next publication covering advanced techniques.

I am not very familiar with SAS/Macro. This book show me how to
use macro language easily and I really learn a lot from this book. I recommend who does not know the macro language to buy
this book. And it contains much more than its prices.
Every SAS programmer must have one.

Gives a fairly detailed overview of the SAS macro language. Great for users with a little bit of background. The book is not supplemented with an CD, it falls upon the reader to experiment.

It is definitely not for advanced programmers, it is not designed to train you the ability to write your own code entirely as when using C++ or R language.
The book basically tells you how to manipulate existing SAS macro functions with the framework of SAS data step. I strongly doubt that a reader who finishes this book would acquire the ability to write a simple code on his own, for example, a code to compute the sum of integers from 1 to 100 under Macro environment.

But still, this is not a very bad book for two reasons:
1, there are not many books about writing (true) code in SAS;
2, the programming under SAS macro is very limited due to its poor design.

I am highly satified with the shipping method and the condition of the book.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Thanks!